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INTRODUCTION

As a member of the Employer and Experiential Development Team, the Employer Development Specialist will actively evaluate employer and external partner hiring and brand-building needs to expand opportunities and facilitate engagement between employers, external partners and VCU students and alumni. They will assist with the posting of relevant jobs and internships, organizing recruitment events, and providing other connection points related to career and experiential opportunities. They will steward relationships with employers to increase recruiting opportunities and outcomes for students; and assist in efforts to maintain campus recruiting policies for students, employers, faculty and staff in accordance with professional standards.

Through purposeful partnerships, innovative interdisciplinary programming, consistent advocacy and providing a supportive environment, VCU Career Services aims to reduce barriers to career and experiential opportunities, promote the development of career readiness skills, provide access to resources, knowledge and connections, and equip individuals and organizations to contribute to the current and future world of work, their communities and the broader world. The Employer Development Specialist will serve as a cross-team collaborator, leader, and strategist in critical areas of our work in the career development and college recruiting space.

Members of the VCU Career Services team regularly engage in professional development, including in-house and external training and conference opportunities, to best serve students and alumni, to stay current with industry standards and changes, to revise programs and services to reflect trends, and to increase our office’s visibility, both at VCU and on a broader scale.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Core Responsibilities

Relationship Development and Management (50%):

• Coordinate and implement outreach to new and prospective employer partners who may have an interest in recruiting and retaining new hires for employment opportunities.
• Steward existing employers through the recruitment lifecycle including in person, electronic, and phone communication in alignment with campus recruiting guidelines, and respond to external party inquiries regarding experiential and employment opportunities that might be a fit for VCU students.
• Orient employer partners to VCU, VCU Career Services, Academic Internships Office, and our Handshake system so they can make informed decisions about engagement and be prepared to effectively post and follow up on employment opportunities, actively promoting on-campus and virtual recruitment of students.
• Collaborate with the Academic Internships Office, to refer employers interested in developing academic internships.
• Collaborate with other campus partners in areas of recruitment and engagement expertise.
• Assist employers in building their presence (brand) on campus, advising them on recruitment strategies and setting expectations about number of student applicants per job posting(s), event participation and student involvement; ensure adequate and creative marketing of employer postings and events.
• Work with employer partners to strengthen recruitment pipelines and identify additional recruitment opportunities, checking in regularly to ensure high-quality services and continued campus engagement.
• Evaluate employer needs and identify corresponding services that may be provided by VCU Career Services and various campus partners.
• Provide outstanding customer service in accordance with team standards to both internal and external customers by considering how actions or plans will affect partners; follow through on responsibilities to partners. Responds with appropriate urgency, flexibility, courtesy, and good judgment to meet customer needs and resolve problems.
• Serve as department liaison to relevant campus partner offices and faculty groups to increase engagement and partnership in support of students.
• Participate in various campus events involving prospective students, alumni, and families to engage those stakeholders in our services and programs.
• Serve on relevant committees and industry program groups within or representing VCU Career Services, SEMSS, and VCU at large.

Program Development and Management (35%):

• Coordinate and support the execution of major on-campus career fairs, in collaboration with the full Employer and Experiential Development team. This includes, but is not limited to, employer invitations, registration, day-of-fair logistics, and communications regarding career fairs. Work with SEMGI Communications, utilizing appropriate processes so that event marketing can be created and distributed to employers and students as appropriate.
• Schedule and engage employers in other campus recruiting efforts including but not limited to information tabling, classroom visits, on-campus interviews.
• Assist employers on the day of their visit with any needs (parking passes, scheduling issues, etc.), and follow up with employers after their visit as necessary.
• Provide leadership for and coordinate any specialized student-focused career events related to recruitment, networking, and student and alumni support. Collaborate and communicate with specific team members, campus partners, employers, and alumni to ensure successful event design, marketing, staffing, delivery, and evaluation.
• For assigned industry clusters, partner with affiliated VCU faculty groups to develop and market events to drive faculty and student engagement.
• Collaborate with VCU Career Services staff, student employees, and other campus units on projects and programs that facilitate student learning and skill development.

Leadership and Strategic Initiatives (10%):

• Adhere to principles of professional conduct and ethics as outlined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), including but not limited to:
• Engage with employer partners to promote equitable pay/wages, fair recruitment and hiring practices, mentoring and management, and professional development.
• Implement, review and enforce employer recruitment policies.
• Providing resources for all those engaged in career advising and recruitment to promote informed and responsible decision making.
• Participate in relevant professional associations at the state, regional, and/or national level to influence fair recruiting and engagement policies and practices.
• Leverage industry association opportunities to expand VCU’s strategic engagement with industry clusters.
• Contribute actively to the development, adaptation, and implementation of the VCU Career Services Strategic Plan through collaboration and project work.
• Perform other duties to support team operations and strategic plan, as assigned.

Technology Management (5%):

• Promote effective office, employer, and campus engagement with Handshake in support of student recruitment, retention, networking, and event participation, as well as organizational relationship management and documentation.
• Communicate with employers regarding the use of our online database (Handshake), and provide service as necessary to recruiters with navigating the system, posting opportunities, and managing applicants.
• Support accurate and timely entry of data, troubleshooting, and communications with employers in the Handshake system for each employer/organization engagement, meeting or significant communication exchange.
• Assist with the training of employers on the use of Handshake in a confident manner.

Other Position Details: This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement with up to 40% weekly telework, but this standard could change in the future depending on Student Success priorities and campus policy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 1 year of experience in recruitment, human resources, higher education, or related field; relevant graduate assistantships and internships will be considered.
• Demonstrated experience developing positive professional relationships and partnerships.
• Ability to organize and effectively manage multiple priorities, programs, and projects; time management skills.
• Effective communication skills (written, oral, presentation), including ability to use diplomacy/tact when engaging with stakeholders.
• Critical thinking, problem-solving, and negotiation skills, as well as the ability to synthesize new information, incorporate, and apply across tasks.
• Ability to use relevant database/tracking/CRM systems (e.g. Handshake, Navigate, Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets).
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, education, counseling, or related field.
• Experience using database systems, e.g. Handshake, GradLeaders, CSO, Symplicity, SalesForce, PeopleSoft, etc.
• Awareness of trends within higher education, career services, employment marketplace and economy.

SALARY RANGE

• Up to $46,000

BENEFITS

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

HOURS PER WEEK: 40

RESTRICTED POSITION: No

ORP ELIGIBLE: No

FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENT: Hybrid

UNIVERSITY JOB TITLE: 35221N - Specialist SS 1

POSTING OPENS: 10/15/2026

POSTING CLOSES: 10/23/2026

CONTACT NAME: Danielle Pearles

CONTACT EMAIL: ddpearles@vcu.edu